Fusing a carbohydrate-binding module into the Aspergillus usamii β-mannanase to improve its thermostability and cellulose-binding capacity by in silico design.

The AuMan5A, an acidophilic glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 5 β-mannanase derived from Aspergillus usamii YL-01-78, consists of an only catalytic domain (CD). To perfect enzymatic properties of the AuMan5A, a family 1 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) of the Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (TrCBH I), having the lowest binding free energy with cellobiose, was selected by in silico design, and fused into its C-terminus forming a fusion β-mannanase, designated as AuMan5A-CBM. Then, its encoding gene, Auman5A-cbm, was constructed as it was designed theoretically, and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115.

Gland-preserving surgery can effectively preserve gland function without increased recurrence in treatment of benign submandibular gland tumour.

The most widely accepted treatment for neoplasms of the submandibular gland usually involves excision of the entire gland. Our aim was to establish a gland-preserving operation for benign tumours of the submandibular gland and evaluate its efficacy. We treated 40 patients from January 2007 to December 2008 with benign submandibular gland tumours who were listed to have an operation that either preserved the gland or sacrificed it.

Correlation between Doppler parameters and renal cortical fibrosis in lupus nephritis: a preliminary observation.

To assess the relationship between renal Doppler parameters and renal cortical fibrosis in lupus nephritis (LN), we retrospectively reviewed 24 patients with LN underwent both renal color Doppler sonography and renal biopsy. The angle-corrected Doppler parameters, including peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI) at the main and interlobar renal arteries were measured. The Doppler parameters and PSV and EDV ratios of the interlobar artery to main renal artery were compared with histopathologic analysis of the kidney biopsy specimen.

The computational power of astrocyte mediated synaptic plasticity.

Research in the last two decades has made clear that astrocytes play a crucial role in the brain beyond their functions in energy metabolism and homeostasis. Many studies have shown that astrocytes can dynamically modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity, and might participate in higher brain functions like learning and memory. With the plethora of astrocyte mediated signaling processes described in the literature today, the current challenge is to identify, which of these processes happen under what physiological condition, and how this shapes information processing and, ultimately, behavior.

Understanding transcriptional regulation by integrative analysis of transcription factor binding data.

Statistical models have been used to quantify the relationship between gene expression and transcription factor (TF) binding signals. Here we apply the models to the large-scale data generated by the ENCODE project to study transcriptional regulation by TFs. Our results reveal a notable difference in the prediction accuracy of expression levels of transcription start sites (TSSs) captured by different technologies and RNA extraction protocols.

Architecture of the human regulatory network derived from ENCODE data.

Transcription factors bind in a combinatorial fashion to specify the on-and-off states of genes; the ensemble of these binding events forms a regulatory network, constituting the wiring diagram for a cell. To examine the principles of the human transcriptional regulatory network, we determined the genomic binding information of 119 transcription-related factors in over 450 distinct experiments. We found the combinatorial, co-association of transcription factors to be highly context specific: distinct combinations of factors bind at specific genomic locations.

Toll-like receptor-9 agonists increase cyclin D1 expression partly through activation of activator protein-1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Increasing evidence suggests that malignant transformation can result from chronic infection, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may play an important role in this process. We have previously reported that the increased expression of TLR-9 is associated with tumor cell proliferation in oral cancer. However, the mechanisms involved have not been elucidated.

Electro-optic directed logic circuit based on microring resonators for XOR/XNOR operations.

We report the implementation of the XOR and XNOR operations using an electro-optic directed logic circuit based on two cascaded silicon microring resonators (MRRs), which are both modulated through the plasma dispersion effect. PIN diodes are embedded around the MRRs to achieve the carrier-injection modulation. The inherent resonance wavelength mismatch between the two nominally identical MRRs caused by fabrication errors is compensated by two local microheaters above each MRR through the thermo-optic effect.

Salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis: a preliminary study of 62 cases.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an infrequent malignant neoplasm that originates most commonly in the major and minor salivary glands of the head and neck region. This study provides new information on head and neck ACC with cervical lymph node metastasis. Of 616 patients who underwent primary tumour resection from 1995 to 2008 in the authors' hospital, 62 cases with cervical lymph node metastasis were analyzed.

Ultra-low-power carrier-depletion Mach-Zehnder silicon optical modulator.

We demonstrate a 26 Gbit/s Mach-Zehnder silicon optical modulator. The doping concentration and profile are optimized, and a modulation efficiency with the figure of merit (VπL) of 1.28 V·cm is achieved.

Astrocyte signaling controls spike timing-dependent depression at neocortical synapses.

Endocannabinoid mediated spike timing-dependent depression (t-LTD) is crucially involved in the development of the sensory neocortex. t-LTD at excitatory synapses in the developing rat barrel cortex requires cannabinoid CB(1) receptor (CB(1)R) activation, as well as activation of NMDA receptors located on the presynaptic terminal, but the exact signaling cascade leading to t-LTD remains unclear. We found that astrocytes are critically involved in t-LTD.

Dental implant distractor combined with free fibular flap: a new design for simultaneous functional mandibular reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to present a new method that combines the use of the fibular flap and a custom-made vertical distractor/dental implant device into 1 surgical procedure for simultaneous functional mandibular reconstruction.

Patients And Methods: The present retrospective case series included 10 patients who were treated using the fibular flap and dental implant distractor (DID) in a single-stage procedure. These 10 patients were treated within a 3-year period (from 2005 to 2007).

Low-voltage, high-extinction-ratio, Mach-Zehnder silicon optical modulator for CMOS-compatible integration.

We demonstrate a carrier-depletion Mach-Zehnder silicon optical modulator, which is compatible with CMOS fabrication process and works well at a low driving voltage. This is achieved by the optimization of the coplanar waveguide electrode to reduce the electrical signal transmission loss. At the same time, the velocity and impedance matching are both considered.

Novel vein closure procedure using a proprietary cyanoacrylate adhesive: 30-day swine model results.

Purpose: To conduct a pilot study to demonstrate a novel method of using a proprietary cyanoacrylate (CA) for closure of superficial veins.

Materials And Methods: Right and left superficial epigastric veins from two swine models were utilized due to the vein's similarities with the human great saphenous vein. Under ultrasound guidance, access was gained and a 5-F delivery catheter was advanced to the junction of the superficial epigastric and abdominus rectus veins.

Characterization of Th1- and Th2-type immune response in human multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has become a lethal global threat. Insights into the immune regulation of MDR-TB are urgently needed for the development of new treatments; however, the T cell response to an MDR-TB infection in human remains unclear. In the present study, the proportion of Th1 and Th2 cell subsets and the level of related T cell subset cytokines in peripheral blood were investigated.

TIP: a probabilistic method for identifying transcription factor target genes from ChIP-seq binding profiles.

Motivation: ChIP-seq and ChIP-chip experiments have been widely used to identify transcription factor (TF) binding sites and target genes. Conventionally, a fairly 'simple' approach is employed for target gene identification e.g.

Nanotube-based colorimetric probe for ultrasensitive detection of ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein.

We have developed a nanotube-based colorimetric probe using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), anti-immunoglobulin G (anti-IgG), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The probe was used as an alternative to conventional colorimetric conjugates to obtain amplified signals in a sandwich-type immunoassay for ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a potential biomarker for radiation doses and cancers. Results show that the MWNT-based probe colorimetry was 5000 times more sensitive than a conventional ELISA, while its concentration range was 10,000 times wider than that of the latter.

PhenoM: a database of morphological phenotypes caused by mutation of essential genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

About one-fifth of the genes in the budding yeast are essential for haploid viability and cannot be functionally assessed using standard genetic approaches such as gene deletion. To facilitate genetic analysis of essential genes, we and others have assembled collections of yeast strains expressing temperature-sensitive (ts) alleles of essential genes. To explore the phenotypes caused by essential gene mutation we used a panel of genetically engineered fluorescent markers to explore the morphology of cells in the ts strain collection using high-throughput microscopy.

Radiation dose effect of DNA repair-related gene expression in mouse white blood cells.

Background: The aim of this study was to screen molecular biomarkers for biodosimetry from DNA repair-related gene expression profiles.

Material/methods: Mice were subjected to whole-body exposure with 60Co gamma rays with a dose range of 0-8 Gy at a dose rate of 0.80 Gy/min.

Cyanoacrylate adhesive for the closure of truncal veins: 60-day swine model results.

Background: The introduction of cyanoacrylate (CA) within a blood vessel triggers polymerization, followed by an inflammatory reaction.

Methods: A sheath was positioned 2.0 cm caudad to the junction of the superficial epigastric and abdominus rectus veins in 2 swine, followed by ultrasound-guided injection of 0.

Comprehensive treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is traditionally focused on glycemic control. In recent years, comprehensive treatment approaches including blood sugar control, blood pressure management, and use of antihyperlipidemic agents (e.g.

Doppler angle correction in the measurement of intrarenal parameters.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess differences in intrarenal artery Doppler parameters measured without and with Doppler angle correction.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed color duplex sonography in 30 normally functioning kidneys (20 native kidneys in 10 subjects and 10 transplanted kidneys in 10 subjects) performed between January 26, 2010 and July 26, 2010. There were 10 age-matched men and 10 age-matched women (mean 39.

Gefitinib induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Gefitinib, a selective inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, has been clinically demonstrated to be effective in certain cancer cell types. In the present study, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, gefitinib-induced apoptotic cell death was demonstrated. Gefitinib inhibited yeast cell proliferation and ultimately led to cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Systematic exploration of essential yeast gene function with temperature-sensitive mutants.

Conditional temperature-sensitive (ts) mutations are valuable reagents for studying essential genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We constructed 787 ts strains, covering 497 (∼45%) of the 1,101 essential yeast genes, with ∼30% of the genes represented by multiple alleles. All of the alleles are integrated into their native genomic locus in the S288C common reference strain and are linked to a kanMX selectable marker, allowing further genetic manipulation by synthetic genetic array (SGA)-based, high-throughput methods.

Increased expression of Toll-like receptor-9 has close relation with tumour cell proliferation in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9), a new member of the interleukin-1 receptor superfamily, was recently found to have a high level of expression in many carcinoma specimens. The objective of this study was to examine the TLR-9 expression and its role in tumour cell proliferation in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect TLR-9 protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Tca-8113 cell lines and clinical specimens (n=60).